What is share of search and how do I measure it?

The short answer

Share of search is your brand’s search volume as a percentage of total branded search across your category. It is the closest free proxy for market share and it tends to move before revenue does, which makes it a useful leading indicator of whether demand generation is working.

How to calculate it

List your brand and your main competitors. Pull monthly search volume for each brand name from any keyword tool. Your share is your volume divided by the total.

Track it monthly. The absolute number matters less than the direction.

Why it leads revenue

People search a brand name before they buy it, often weeks before. A rising share of search means more of the market is considering you, which shows up in sales later.

A falling share while your revenue holds is an early warning worth acting on.

Its limits

It works badly for very new brands with no measurable volume, for brands with generic names, and in categories where buying happens without search. Use it alongside direct traffic rather than alone.

Quick answers

Which tool should I use?

Any keyword tool with consistent methodology. Consistency between months matters far more than accuracy in absolute terms.

Should I include misspellings?

Yes, and competitor misspellings too. People type badly and it is real demand.

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